Therapeutic training device for autism

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic training device configured to be worn on the face of a therapist and capable of displaying media content to a patient with ASD, wherein a level of the displayed media content may be adjusted to permit the patient to see the eyes of the therapist through the media content.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods forproviding therapeutic training to individuals with autism spectrumdisorders (ASD). A therapeutic training device configured to be worn onthe face of a therapist and capable of displaying media content to apatient with ASD, wherein a level (i.e., brightness, transparency,and/or opacity) of the media content may be adjusted to permit thepatient to see the eyes of the therapist through the media content. Thetraining device is further capable of adjusting a level of the mediacontent so that the eyes of the therapist may increasingly ordecreasingly be viewed through the display of media content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Autism spectrum, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autismspectrum condition, is a range of neurodevelopmental disorders thatinclude autism, Asperger syndrome and other related conditions.Individuals on the spectrum are often hyper sensitive to sensorystimuli, and present with two types of symptoms, namely, problems insocial communication and interactions; and restricted, repetitivepatterns of behavior, interests or activities. Long term issues mayinclude difficulties in performing daily tasks, creating and keepingrelationships, and maintaining a job.

Research shows that many people with ASD have difficulty with jointattention, which is the ability to share focus on an object or area withanother person (Kasari, et al., J Autism and Dev Disord, 201040(9):1045-1056). Examples of joint attention skills include followingsomeone else's gaze or pointed finger to look at something. Jointattention is important to communication and language learning.

Various studies have also shown that individuals with ASD demonstratereduced attention to the eye region (Boraston et al., J Autism DevDisord, 2008 38:574-580; Cordon et al., 2008; and Dawson et al., 2005),which in turn limits their ability to interpret and interact withinformation communicated from the eye region. Recognition of this typeof information in others is essential for emotional awareness, followingeye-gaze, establishing joint attention, and reading intentions, all ofwhich are hallmark impairments of ASD (Hutchins and Brien, Research inAutism Spectrum Disord, 2016 vol. 26). termed “eye-information”.

Although various behavioral and developmental therapies exist, no singlestandard treatment exists for improving joint attention for individualswith ASD. Because the causes and potential cures for ASD are shrouded inuncertainty, many of the treatments intended for ASD merely alleviateproblems or symptoms which are either non-existent or have no causalrelationship to ASD. Thus, while therapies and treatments currentlyexist for improving joint attention, challenges still exist.Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or evenreplace current techniques with other techniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods forproviding therapeutic training to individuals with autism spectrumdisorders (ASD). In particular, the present invention relates to atherapeutic training device that is worn by a therapist, the trainingdevice comprising a video display that is positioned over the eyes ofthe therapist and configured to show media content preferred by anindividual with ASD. The training device is further capable of adjustingan opacity of the media content on the video display, whereby the eyesof the therapist may increasingly be viewed through the video display asthe opacity of the media content is reduced.

In some aspects of the invention, a therapeutic training device isprovided comprising a pair of eyeglasses that are worn by a therapist,wherein the lenses of the eyeglasses comprise a high-transparency videodisplay having a display surface that is viewable by a patient while thetherapist is wearing the glasses. The video display may comprise anytechnology compatible with the teachings of the present invention.

In one aspect of the invention, the video display comprises a pluralityof pixels configured to reproduce media content on the display surface,such as a picture or video of interest to a patient with ASD. In someinstances, an opacity of at least some of the pixels may be reduced suchthat the portion of the media content reproduced on these pixels becomestransparent (i.e., loses opacity), thereby permitting the patient to seethe eyes of the therapist positioned behind the video display. In someinstances, the opacity or transparency of all or substantially all ofthe pixels of the video display are adjusted in concert with oneanother, such that an opacity or transparency of the entire mediacontent is uniformly increased or decreased. In other instances, thevideo display may be divided into regions, the opacity or transparencyof which may individually be adjusted, such that an opacity ortransparency of one portion of the media content may be less than orgreater than an opacity or transparency of a different portion of themedia content on the display surface. In some instances, a video displayis provided comprising a first region of pixels corresponding to acenter portion of the video display, or a portion of the video displaythat corresponds to a position of the therapist's eye when the glassesare worn, and further comprises a second region of pixels correspondingto a portion of the video display located between the first region and aperimeter edge of the video display. In some instances, a video displayis provided have more than three regions of pixels.

In one aspect of the invention, a video display is provided having aplurality of pixels interspersed among a plurality of windows, whereinthe windows are incapable of displaying media content. In someinstances, the plurality of windows are evenly interspersed among theplurality of pixels. In some instances, the plurality of windows areevenly interspersed among a portion or region of the plurality ofpixels. In some instances, the plurality of windows are unevenlyinterspersed among the plurality of pixels, or among a region of theplurality of pixels. In some instances, the plurality of windows arepositioned at a center portion of the video display, or a portion of thevideo display that corresponds to a position of the therapist's eye whenthe glasses are worn.

In one aspect of the invention, a video display is provided fordisplaying media content that projects onto a screen, wherein the screenis configured to reflect the video display such that the media contentis viewable by a patient while the therapist is wearing the eye glasses.In some instances, there is also a viewable pathway through the screen.In some instances, a brightness or brightness level of the media contentthat projects onto the window may be reduced such that the portion ofthe media content reflected on the window becomes transparent, therebypermitting the patient to see the eyes of the therapist positionedbehind the video display. In some instances, pair of eyeglasses mayfurther include a light or several lights, wherein a brightness orbrightness level of the light is uniformly increased or decreased toilluminate the face, and in particular the eyes of the therapist. Insome instances, brightness levels of the light and the video display areadjusted in concert with one another. In some instances, brightnesslevels of the light and the video display are adjusted inversely.

In a further aspect of the invention, therapeutic training deviceincludes various circuitry and electrical components to facilitate useof the device. In some instances, the training device comprises a powersupply, such as a battery for powering the device. The training devicefurther comprises electrical components and circuitry for receiving andreproducing media content on the video display. In some instances, thetraining device comprises electrical component and circuitry forwireless transmission, such as receiving media content from a remoteserver or mobile device, such as a smartphone, as well as wirelesslysending data that may be collected by the training device during use. Insome instances, the training device further comprises one or memorymodules for storage of media content and collected data, as well asfirmware and other software programs configured for use with thetraining device.

In another aspect of the invention, the therapeutic training devicefurther includes circuitry and electrical components configured toadjust the opacity or transparency of the pixels of the video display.In some instances, these electrical components are controlled by theuser directly through the training device or via a wired remote. In someinstances, these electrical components are controlled wirelessly by theuser, such as through a wireless remote control or a smartphone.

In some instances, these circuitry and electrical components foradjusting the opacity or transparency of the pixels of the video displayare controlled by the training device in response to data received bythe training device during use. For example, in some aspects of theinvention the training device further includes one or more video camerasconfigured for use with an eye tracking software program, wherein datacollected by the eye tracking software program (“eye data”) may be usedby a software program of the training device to automatically adjust theopacity or transparency of the pixels of the video display.

In some instances, the training device comprises executable code forrunning a method whereby eye data is used to determine an optimalopacity or transparency level for the pixels of the video display. Insome instances, the eye data represents a time period for which thepatient's eyes were fixed on the video display of the training device.In some instances, the eye data represents a percentage of time forwhich the patient's eyes were fixed on the video display of the trainingdevice (i.e., eye fixation percentage), wherein the time may be greaterthan 5 seconds, 5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second, orless than 1 second. In some embodiments, the eye data represents anaccuracy of the patient's eye gaze relative to the video display (i.e.,eye gaze accuracy). In some instances, the executable code of thetraining device further utilizes one or more buffers, such as a timebuffer or pixel buffer, to accommodate for natural and/or errant eyemovements.

In some instances, an opacity or transparency of the pixels of the videodisplay is inversely proportional to the eye data. For example, if theeye data for a first time period (t₁) shows an eye fixation percentageof 20% (i.e., the patient's eyes were fixed on the video display 20% ofduration of t₁), the training device would automatically adjust theopacity of the video display to 80% (or set the transparency of thepixels to 20%). If the eye data for a second time period (t₂) shows aneye fixation percentage of 70%, the training device would automaticallyadjust the opacity of the video display to 30% (or set the transparencyof the pixels to 70%). One having ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate that various other algorithms may be used to determine andset an optimal opacity or transparency level for the pixels of the videodisplay based on eye data.

In some instances, a therapeutic training device is provided comprising:i) eyeglass frames, ii) a video display positioned within the eyeglassframes, iii) a controller coupled to the video display to control adisplay of media content on the video display, and iv) a screenconfigured to reflect the display of media content outwardly such thatthe display of media content is viewable by a patient when the trainingdevice is worn by a therapist. In some instances, the video display ismounted in the eyeglass frames in an orientation such that the displayof media content is emitted from the video display in a plane that isgenerally perpendicular to a line of sight through the screen. The videodisplay may include any compatible source, including but not limited toa video projector, a LCD display, a LED display, or a quantum dotdisplay. In some instances, the screen is mounted in the eyeglass framesin a plane approximately 45 to the orientation of the video display. Thescreen may comprise any compatible material, including but not limitedto a one-way mirror, a dielectric mirror, or a beamsplitter mirror. Insome instances, the training device comprises a plurality of screens.

In some instances, a brightness of the video display is adjustable suchthat a transparency of the screen is variable, and wherein thetherapeutic training device further comprises a light having anadjustable brightness and configured to illuminate, wherein a brightnessof the light is adjustable to illuminate the eyes of the therapist. Insome instances, the training device comprises a controller configured toinversely adjust brightness levels of the video display and the light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood,a more particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tolimit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative network computing environment thatprovides a suitable operating environment for use of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a representative computing device that may be used inthe network computing environment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training devicein accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training deviceof the present invention as worn by a therapist, wherein the videodisplays of the device are substantially transparent in accordance witha representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training deviceof the present invention as worn by a therapist, wherein the videodisplays of the device are partially transparent and media content onthe video displays of the device are partially opaque in accordance witha representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4C illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training deviceof the present invention as worn by a therapist, wherein the mediacontent on the video displays is substantially opaque in accordance witha representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front plan view of a therapeutic training devicewith configurable video displays in accordance with a representativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram showing an example of pixel mapping for avideo display in accordance with a representative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training devicein accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training deviceof the present invention as worn by a therapist, wherein the screens ofthe device are substantially transparent in accordance with arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic training devicein accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7D illustrates a side view of a therapeutic training device of thepresent invention as worn by a therapist in accordance with arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7E illustrates a display controller in accordance with arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an Input/Output (I/O) processor in communication witha remote display controller in accordance with a representativeembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a therapeutic training device in communication with amobile computing device via a receiver in accordance with arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a therapeutic training device coupled with a remotedisplay controller in accordance with a representative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram showing a method for using a therapeutictraining device in accordance with a representative embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a therapeutic training deviceconfigured to be worn on the face of a therapist and capable ofdisplaying media content to a patient with ASD, wherein a brightnessand/or opacity of the media content may be adjusted to permit thepatient to see the eyes of the therapist through the media content. Anyof the features described herein may be combined in order to arrive at adesired configuration in accordance with the explicitly stated andintended operation of the present invention. Use herein of thetransitional phrases “in some embodiments” and “in some instances” isnot intended to limit the scope of any particular embodiment to aspecific feature or set of features disclosed therewith. Rather, theintention of all the various embodiments described herein is to provideframeworks of context in which a specific feature or a set of featuresmay be comprehended and understood in the context of the inventiveconcept as a whole. Accordingly, the entirety of the present disclosureis to be understood as a body of interchangeable and modular elementsthat may be selected and combined (in accordance with the requisitepurview of one having ordinary skill in the art) to achieve a device,system, or method within the context of the inventive concept, as awhole, disclosed herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will be best understood byreference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. It will be readilyunderstood that the components of the present invention, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description, as represented in the figures, isnot intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but ismerely representative of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention.

As used herein, the term “pixel” is understood to include a minute areaof illumination on an electronic display screen or video display, one ofmany from which an image is composed. Generally, a pixel may include oneor more subpixels representing one or more colors, such as red, green,and blue.

As used herein, the term “video display” is understood to include anytype of electronic display that is compatible with the presentinvention. For many embodiments, a compatible video display comprises afull-area two-dimensional display. Non-limiting examples of videodisplays include LED, LCD, OLED, ELD, E ink, HPA, TFT, OTFT, DLP, SED,FED, Laser TV, carbon nanotubes, IMOD, DMS, AMOLED, PDP and quantum dotdisplays.

As used herein, the term “eyeglasses” or “glasses” is understood toinclude a therapeutic training device adapted to be worn on the face ofa therapist such that media content displayed by the training device ispositioned over the eye or eyes of the therapist in a manner viewable toa patient. The media content comprises a viewable pathway to enable thetherapist to view a patient through the media content while wearing thetraining device.

As used herein, the term “level of media content” is understood todescribe a physical characteristic of media content which may beadjusted to increase or decrease a perceivable amount of the displayedmedia content on a therapeutic training device disclosed herein,including but not limited to an opacity, a brightness, or a transparencyof the displayed media content.

As used herein, the term “transparency” is understood to describe alevel of light allowed to pass through a video display of a trainingdevice of the present invention and may be represented as a percentageon a transparency scale of 0% to 100%, wherein, for example, 100%transparency describes a condition where 100% of light is allowed topass through a video display, or a portion of a video display withoutbeing scattered (i.e., 0% light scatter), wherein 50% transparencydescribes a condition where 50% of light is allowed to pass through avideo display, or a portion of a video display without being scattered(i.e., 50% light scatter), wherein 20% transparency describes acondition where 20% of light is allowed to pass through a video display,or a portion of a video display without being scattered (i.e., 80% lightscatter), and wherein 0% transparency describes a condition where 0% oflight is allowed to pass through a video display, or a portion of avideo display without being scattered (i.e., 100% light scatter). Itshould be noted that transparency levels or percentages are based on amaximum attainable transparency for the video display when the opacitylevel or percentage is 0%. Thus, a transparency percentage of 100% doesnot represent conditions of 0% light scattering, rather is representswhatever amount of light scattering is present when the opacity level ofmedia content is 0% (i.e., no media content is being reproduced on thevideo display). A video display of the present invention may beconfigured to simultaneously provide two or more transparency levels,for example, a first transparency level for the therapist or “inner”side of the video display, and a second transparency level for thepatient or “outer” side of the video display.

As used herein, the term “opacity” or “opaque” is understood to describea level of presence or “fade” of media content data shown on a screen orvideo display of a training device of the present invention, whereinfull opacity of media content data may be termed “unfaded”, partialopacity of media content data may be termed “partially faded”, and noopacity of media content data may be termed “completely faded”. In someinstances, opacity of media content may be represented as a percentageon an opacity scale of 0% to 100%, wherein, for example, 100% opacitydescribes a condition where 100% of media content data is shown on avideo display, or a portion of a video display (which would beequivalent to 0% transparency of the video display), wherein 50% opacitydescribes a condition where 50% of media content data is shown on avideo display, or a portion of a video display (which would beequivalent to 50% transparency of the video display), wherein 20%opacity describes a condition wherein 20% of media content data is shownon a video display, or a portion of a video display (which would beequivalent to 80% transparency), and wherein 0% opacity describes acondition where 0% of media content data is shown on a video display, ora portion of a video display (which would be equivalent to 100%transparency of the video display).

As used herein, the terms “brightness”, “brightness level(s)” or“level(s) of brightness” are understood to describe the amount of lightemitted from a light source (e.g., LED, LED bulb, incandescent bulb),the amount of light emitted from a video display, and/or the amount oflight in a reflected image.

As used herein, the term “media content” is understood to include anycombination of digital images and videos capable of being reproduced ona video display of the present invention. Media content data may bestreamed wirelessly to the therapeutic training device, or may beaccessed from on-board memory modules of the training device.

As used herein, the term “eye tracking” is understood to describe themeasurement of eye activity of a patient in relation to a therapeutictraining device of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “eye data” is understood to describe ameasurement of time for which a patient's eyes are fixed on a videodisplay of a training device, and may be represented as a percentage oftime on a scale of 0% to 100%, wherein, for example, 0% eye fixationdescribes a condition where the patient's eyes were fixed on a videodisplay of a training device 0% of a time period, wherein 50% eyefixation describes a condition where the patient's eyes were fixed on avideo display of a training device 50% of a time period, wherein 80% eyefixation describes a condition where the patient's eyes were fixed on avideo display of a training device 80% of a time period, and wherein100% eye fixation describes a condition where the patient's eyes werefixed on a video display of a training device 100% of a time period.

As used herein, the term “muscle memory” is understood to describe theability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought,acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement. As usedherein, the term “muscle memory” is used to describe a therapy wherebyan individual with ASD develops the ability to make and maintain eyecontact with a therapist through repetitive use of a therapeutictraining device of the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “patient”, “patient with ASD”, and “individualwith ASD” are understood to describe a human having a developmentaldisorder characterized by an inability to make or maintain eye contactwith others.

As used herein, the term “therapist” is understood to describe anyperson wearing a therapeutic training device of the present invention

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative environment is shown in whichthe present invention may be practiced. Not all of the shown componentsmay be required to practice the disclosure, and variations in thearrangement and type of the components may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. System 100 may include localarea networks and wide area networks, shown collectively as network 106,wireless network 110, gateway 108 (which is configured to connect remoteand/or different types of networks together), client computing devices112, 114, 116 and 118, and server computing devices 102 and 104.

Client computing devices may include virtually any device capable ofreceiving and sending a message over a network, such as wireless network110, or the like. Such devices include portable devices such as,cellular telephones, smart phones, display pagers, radio frequency (RF)devices, music players, digital cameras, infrared (IR) devices, PersonalDigital Assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, laptop computers,wearable computers, tablet computers, integrated devices combining oneor more of the preceding devices, or the like. Client device 112 mayinclude virtually any computing device that typically connects using awired communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, or the like. In one embodiment, one or more of clientdevices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may also be configured to operate over awired and/or a wireless network.

Client devices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may include a wide variety ofcapabilities and features. For example, a cell phone may have a numerickeypad and a few lines of monochrome LCD display on which only text maybe displayed. In another example, a web-enabled client device may have atouch sensitive screen, a stylus, and several lines of color LCD displayin which both text and graphic may be displayed.

A web-enabled client device may include a browser application that isconfigured to receive and to send web pages, web-based messages, or thelike. The browser application may be configured to receive and displaygraphic, text, multimedia, or the like, employing virtually any webbased language, including a wireless application protocol messages(WAP), or the like. In one embodiment, the browser application may beenabled to employ one or more of Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML),Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, StandardGeneralized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML),eXtensible Markup Language (XML), or the like, to display and sendinformation.

Client computing devices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may also include at leastone other client application configured to receive content from anothercomputing device, including, without limit, server computing devices 102and/or 104. The client application may include a capability to provideand receive textual content, multimedia information, or the like. Theclient application may further provide information that identifiesitself, including a type, capability, name, or the like. In someembodiments, client devices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may uniquely identifythemselves through any of a variety of mechanisms, including a phonenumber, Mobile Identification Number (MIN), an electronic serial number(ESN), mobile device identifier, network address, such as IP (InternetProtocol) address, Media Access Control (MAC) layer identifier, or otheridentifier. The identifier may be provided in a message, or the like,sent to another computing device.

Client computing devices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may also be configured tocommunicate a message, such as through email, Short Message Service(SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM),internet relay chat (IRC), Mardam-Bey's IRC (mIRC), Jabber, or the like,to another computing device. However, the present disclosure is notlimited to these message protocols, and virtually any other messageprotocol may be employed.

Client devices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may further be configured toinclude a client application that enables the user to log into a useraccount that may be managed by another computing device. Such useraccount, for example, may be configured to enable the user to receiveemails, send/receive IM messages, SMS messages, access selected webpages, download scripts, applications, or a variety of other content, orperform a variety of other actions over a network. However, managing ofmessages or otherwise accessing and/or downloading content, may also beperformed without logging into the user account. Thus, a user of clientdevices 112, 114, 116 and 118 may employ any of a variety of clientapplications to access content, read web pages, receive/send messages,or the like. In one embodiment, for example, the user may employ abrowser or other client application to access a web page hosted by a Webserver implemented as server computing device 102. In one embodiment,messages received by client computing devices 112, 114, 116 and 118 maybe saved in non-volatile memory, such as flash and/or PCM, acrosscommunication sessions and/or between power cycles of said clientcomputing devices.

In some embodiments, client devices 114, 116 and 118 may be coupled tonetwork 106 via wireless network 110. Wireless network 110 may includeany of a variety of wireless sub-networks that may further overlaystand-alone ad-hoc networks, and the like, to provide aninfrastructure-oriented connection for client devices 114, 116 and 118.Such sub-networks may include mesh networks, Wireless LAN (WLAN)networks, cellular networks, and the like. Wireless network 110 mayfurther include an autonomous system of terminals, gateways, routers,and the like connected by wireless radio links, and the like. Theseconnectors may be configured to move freely and randomly and organizethemselves arbitrarily, such that the topology of wireless network 110may change rapidly.

Wireless network 110 may further employ a plurality of accesstechnologies including 2nd (2G), 3rd (3G) generation radio access forcellular systems, WLAN, Wireless Router (WR) mesh, and the like. Accesstechnologies such as 2G, 3G, and future access networks may enable widearea coverage for mobile devices, such as client devices 114, 116 and118 with various degrees of mobility. For example, wireless network 110may enable a radio connection through a radio network access such asGlobal System for Mobil communication (GSM), General Packet RadioServices (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), WEDGE, Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA),Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wi-Fi, Zigbee,Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and the like. Inessence, wireless network 110 may include virtually any wirelesscommunication mechanism by which information may travel between clientdevices 102-104 and another computing device, network, and the like.

Network 106 is configured to couple one or more servers depicted in FIG.1 as server computing devices 102 and 104 and their respectivecomponents with other computing devices, such as client device 112, andthrough wireless network 110 to client devices 114, 116 and 118. Network106 is enabled to employ any form of computer readable media forcommunicating information from one electronic device to another. Also,network 106 may include the Internet in addition to local area networks(LANs), wide area networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through auniversal serial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media,or any combination thereof. On an interconnected set of LANs, includingthose based on differing architectures and protocols, a router acts as alink between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another.

In various embodiments, the arrangement of system 100 includescomponents that may be used in and constitute various networkedarchitectures. Such architectures may include peer-to-peer,client-server, two-tier, three-tier, or other multi-tier (n-tier)architectures, MVC (Model-View-Controller), and MVP(Model-View-Presenter) architectures among others. Each of these arebriefly described below.

Peer to peer architecture entails use of protocols, such as P2PP (PeerTo Peer Protocol), for collaborative, often symmetrical, and independentcommunication and data transfer between peer client computers withoutthe use of a central server or related protocols.

Client-server architectures includes one or more servers and a number ofclients which connect and communicate with the servers via certainpredetermined protocols. For example, a client computer connecting to aweb server via a browser and related protocols, such as HTTP, may be anexample of a client-server architecture. The client-server architecturemay also be viewed as a 2-tier architecture.

Two-tier, three-tier, and generally, n-tier architectures are thosewhich separate and isolate distinct functions from each other by the useof well-defined hardware and/or software boundaries. An example of thetwo-tier architecture is the client-server architecture as alreadymentioned. In a 2-tier architecture, the presentation layer (or tier),which provides user interface, is separated from the data layer (ortier), which provides data contents. Business logic, which processes thedata may be distributed between the two tiers.

A three-tier architecture, goes one step farther than the 2-tierarchitecture, in that it also provides a logic tier between thepresentation tier and data tier to handle application data processingand logic. Business applications often fall in and are implemented inthis layer.

MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a conceptually many-to-many architecturewhere the model, the view, and the controller entities may communicatedirectly with each other. This is in contrast with the 3-tierarchitecture in which only adjacent layers may communicate directly.

MVP (Model-View-Presenter) is a modification of the MVC model, in whichthe presenter entity is analogous to the middle layer of the 3-tierarchitecture and includes the applications and logic.

Communication links within LANs typically include twisted wire pair orcoaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilizeanalog telephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital linesincluding T1, T2, T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital Networks(ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links includingsatellite links, or other communications links known to those skilled inthe art. Furthermore, remote computers and other related electronicdevices could be remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modemand temporary telephone link. Network 106 may include any communicationmethod by which information may travel between computing devices.Additionally, communication media typically may enable transmission ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother types of content, virtually without limit. By way of example,communication media includes wired media such as twisted pair, coaxialcable, fiber optics, wave guides, and other wired media and wirelessmedia such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustrative computing device 200 is shown.Computing device 200 may represent any one of the server and/or clientcomputing devices shown in FIG. 1. A computing device represented bycomputing device 200 may include less or more than all the componentsshown in FIG. 2, depending on the functionality needed. For example, amobile computing device may include the transceiver 236 and antenna 238,while a server computing device 102 of FIG. 1 may not include thesecomponents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope ofintegration of components of computing device 200 may be different fromwhat is shown. As such, some of the components of computing device 200shown in FIG. 2 may be integrated together as a single unit. Forexample, NIC 230 and transceiver 236 may be implemented as an integratedunit. Additionally, different functions of a single component may beseparated and implemented across several components instead. Forexample, different functions of I/O processor 220 may be separated intotwo or more processing units.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, computing device 200 includesoptical storage 202, Central Processing Unit (CPU) 204, memory module206, display interface 214, audio interface 216, input devices 218,Input/Output (I/O) processor 220, bus 222, non-volatile memory 224,various other interfaces 226-228, Network Interface Card (NIC) 320, harddisk 232, power supply 234, transceiver 236, antenna 238, hapticinterface 240, and Global Positioning System (GPS) unit 242. Memorymodule 206 may include software such as Operating System (OS) 208, and avariety of software application programs and/or softwaremodules/components 210 to 212. Such software modules and components maybe stand-alone application software or be components, such as DLL(Dynamic Link Library) of a larger application software. Computingdevice 200 may also include other components not shown. For example,computing device 200 may further include an illuminator (for example, alight), graphic interface, and portable storage media such as USBdrives. Computing device 200 may also include other processing units,such as a math co-processor, graphics processor/accelerator, and aDigital Signal Processor (DSP).

Optical storage device 202 may include optical drives for using opticalmedia, such as CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Video Disc), and thelike. Optical storage devices 202 may provide inexpensive ways forstoring information for archival and/or distribution purposes.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) 204 may be the main processor for softwareprogram execution in computing device 200. CPU 204 may represent one ormore processing units that obtain software instructions from memorymodule 206 and execute such instructions to carry out computationsand/or transfer data between various sources and destinations of data,such as hard disk 232, I/O processor 220, display interface 214, inputdevices 218, non-volatile memory 224, and the like.

Memory module 206 may include RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read OnlyMemory), and other storage means, mapped to one addressable memoryspace. Memory module 206 illustrates one of many types of computerstorage media for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memorymodule 206 may store a basic input/output system (BIOS) for controllinglow-level operation of computing device 200. Memory module 206 may alsostore OS 208 for controlling the general operation of computing device200. It OS 208 may include a general-purpose operating system such as aversion of UNIX, or LINUX™, or a specialized client-side and/or mobilecommunication operating system such as Windows Mobile™, Android®, or theSymbian® operating system. OS 208 may, in turn, include or interfacewith a Java virtual machine (JVM) module that enables control ofhardware components and/or operating system operations via Javaapplication programs.

Memory module 206 may further include one or more distinct areas (byaddress space and/or other means), which can be utilized by computingdevice 200 to store, among other things, applications and/or other data.For example, one area of memory module 206 may be set aside and employedto store information that describes various capabilities of computingdevice 200, a device identifier, and the like. Such identificationinformation may then be provided to another device based on any of avariety of events, including being sent as part of a header during acommunication, sent upon request, or the like. One common softwareapplication is a browser program that is generally used to send/receiveinformation to/from a web server. In one embodiment, the browserapplication is enabled to employ Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML),Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, StandardGeneralized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML),eXtensible Markup Language (XML), and the like, to display and send amessage. However, any of a variety of other web based languages may alsobe employed. In one embodiment, using the browser application, a usermay view an article or other content on a web page with one or morehighlighted portions as target objects.

Display interface 214 may be coupled with a display unit (i.e., videodisplay), such as liquid crystal display (LCD), gas plasma, lightemitting diode (LED), or any other type of display unit that may be usedwith computing device 200. Display units coupled with display interface214 may also include a touch sensitive screen arranged to receive inputfrom an object such as a stylus or a digit from a human hand. Displayinterface 214 may further include interface for other visual statusindicators, such Light Emitting Diodes (LED), light arrays, and thelike.

Display interface 214 may include both hardware and software components.For example, display interface 214 may include a graphic accelerator forrendering graphic-intensive outputs on the display unit. In oneembodiment, display interface 214 may include software and/or firmwarecomponents that work in conjunction with CPU 204 to render graphicoutput on the display unit.

Audio interface 216 is arranged to produce and receive audio signalssuch as the sound of a human voice. For example, audio interface 216 maybe coupled to a speaker and microphone (not shown) to enablecommunication with a human operator, such as spoken commands, and/orgenerate an audio acknowledgement for some action.

Input devices 218 may include a variety of device types arranged toreceive input from a user, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, atouchpad, a touch-screen (described with respect to display interface214), a multi-touch screen, a microphone for spoken command input(describe with respect to audio interface 216), and the like.

I/O processor 220 is generally employed to handle transactions andcommunications with peripheral devices such as mass storage, network,input devices, display, and the like, which couple computing device 200with the external world. In small, low power computing devices, such assome mobile devices, functions of the I/O processor 220 may beintegrated with CPU 204 to reduce hardware cost and complexity. In oneembodiment, I/O processor 220 may the primary software interface withall other device and/or hardware interfaces, such as optical storage202, hard disk 232, interfaces 226 to 228, display interface 214, audiointerface 216, and input devices 218.

An electrical bus 222 internal to computing device 200 may be used tocouple various other hardware components, such as CPU 204, memory module206, I/O processor 220, and the like, to each other for transferringdata, instructions, status, and other similar information.

Non-volatile memory 224 may include memory built into computing device200, or portable storage medium, such as USB drives that may include PCMarrays, flash memory including NOR and NAND flash, pluggable hard drive,and the like. In one embodiment, portable storage medium may behavesimilarly to a disk drive. In another embodiment, portable storagemedium may present an interface different than a disk drive, forexample, a read-only interface used for loading/supplying data and/orsoftware.

Various other interfaces 226 to 228 may include other electrical and/oroptical interfaces for connecting to various hardware peripheral devicesand networks, such as IEEE 1394 also known as FireWire, Universal SerialBus (USB), Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI), parallel printerinterface, Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter(USART), Video Graphics Array (VGA), Super VGA (SVGA), and the like.

Network Interface Card (NIC) 230 may include circuitry for couplingcomputing device 200 to one or more networks, and is generallyconstructed for use with one or more communication protocols andtechnologies including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobilecommunication (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), user datagram protocol (UDP), transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), SMS, general packet radioservice (GPRS), WAP, ultra wide band (UWB), IEEE 802.16 WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), SIP/RTP, Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, Zigbee, UMTS, HSDPA, WCDMA, WEDGE, or any of a variety of otherwired and/or wireless communication protocols.

Hard disk 232 is generally used as a mass storage device for computingdevice 200. In one embodiment, hard disk 232 may be a Ferro-magneticstack of one or more disks forming a disk drive embedded in or coupledto computing device 200. In another embodiment, hard drive 232 may beimplemented as a solid-state device configured to behave as a diskdrive, such as a flash-based hard drive. In yet another embodiment, harddrive 232 may be a remote storage accessible over network interface 230or another interface 226, but acting as a local hard drive. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that other technologies andconfigurations may be used to present a hard drive interface andfunctionality to computing device 200 without departing from the spiritof the present disclosure.

Power supply 234 provides power to computing device 200. A rechargeableor non-rechargeable battery may be used to provide power. The power mayalso be provided by an external power source, such as an AC adapter or apowered docking cradle that supplements and/or recharges a battery.

Transceiver 236 generally represents transmitter/receiver circuits forwired and/or wireless transmission and receipt of electronic data.Transceiver 236 may be a stand-alone module or be integrated with othermodules, such as NIC 230. Transceiver 236 may be coupled with one ormore antennas for wireless transmission of information.

Antenna 238 is generally used for wireless transmission of information,for example, in conjunction with transceiver 236, NIC 230, and/or GPS242. Antenna 238 may represent one or more different antennas that maybe coupled with different devices and tuned to different carrierfrequencies configured to communicate using corresponding protocolsand/or networks. Antenna 238 may be of various types, such asomni-directional, dipole, slot, helical, and the like.

Haptic interface 240 is configured to provide tactile feedback to a userof computing device 200. For example, the haptic interface may beemployed to vibrate computing device 200, or an input device coupled tocomputing device 200, such as a game controller, in a particular waywhen an event occurs, such as hitting an object with a car in a videogame.

Global Positioning System (GPS) unit 242 can determine the physicalcoordinates of computing device 200 on the surface of the Earth, whichtypically outputs a location as latitude and longitude values. GPS unit242 can also employ other geo-positioning mechanisms, including, but notlimited to, triangulation, assisted GPS (AGPS), E-OTD, CI, SAI, ETA, BSSor the like, to further determine the physical location of computingdevice 200 on the surface of the Earth. It is understood that underdifferent conditions, GPS unit 242 can determine a physical locationwithin millimeters for computing device 200. In other cases, thedetermined physical location may be less precise, such as within a meteror significantly greater distances. In one embodiment, however, a mobiledevice represented by computing device 200 may, through othercomponents, provide other information that may be employed to determinea physical location of the device, including for example, a MAC (MediaAccess Control) address.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a therapeutic training device 300 is shown withconfigurable video displays usable with a computing device of FIG. 2.Training device 300 is generally configured to be worn on the face of atherapist for use with a patient, and therefore generally comprisesfeatures to enable the intended use. In some embodiments, trainingdevice 300 is a pair of eyeglasses comprising a frame 310 similar inappearance to the typical frame employed in ordinary eyeglasses. Unliketypical eyeglasses, frame 310 generally includes first and secondapertures 312 and 314 for mounting first and second video displays 330and 340. In some embodiments, frame 310 further includes an undulatingportion 316 as found in ordinary frames so as to fit onto the bridge ofa nose. Hingedly mounted to the frame 310 are first and second earpieces318 and 320 that are intended to fit over the ears of the therapist tohold the training device 300 onto the therapist's face. In someembodiments, earpieces 318 and 320 are elongated and are connected toframe 310 by hinges 322.

In general, frame 310 and earpieces 318, 320 of training device 300 areconfigured to position first and second video displays 330 and 340 overthe eyes of the therapist when worn. Accordingly, frame 310 may compriseany design, shape and/or components compatible with this intended use.For example, in some embodiments a frame may be provided which includesa single aperture for receiving a single video display, wherein thesingle video display covers at least one eye of the therapist when worn(not shown). In some embodiments, earpieces 318 and 320 may be rigidlycoupled to frame 310, and/or may comprise an adjustable strap, or aband, such as an elastic band.

In some embodiments, device 300 further includes an integrated“on-device” video display controller 350 that is operably connected tovideo displays 330 and 340 and which is configured to display and changevarious images and videos. In some embodiments, display controller 350is separate from device 300, wherein device 300 is configured to link todisplay controller 350 by a wired or wireless connection. Displaycontroller 350 may obtain the images from various sources includingmobile devices, directly from the internet or other computer network, orfrom local or remote storage. Display controller 350 may further includeother circuit elements for controlling video displays 330 and 340, suchas controller circuits, memory, I/O interfaces, and a power source.Frame 310 further comprises various circuitry (not shown) by which videodisplays 330 and 340 are operable connected to display controller 350and other electronic components of device 300.

Displays 330 and 340 each generally comprise a transparent video displayhaving a front, forward-facing, or patient side comprising a displaysurface that is viewable by a patient while a therapist is wearing thetraining device. Displays 330 and 340 each further comprise a back,rear-facing, or therapist side that is located opposite the patient sideof the display and positioned in close proximity to the therapist's facewhen worn.

Displays 330 and 340 may comprise any display technology compatible withthe teachings of the present invention, including but not limited toLED, LCD, OLED, ELD, E ink, HPA, TFT, OTFT, DLP, SED, FED, Laser TV,carbon nanotubes, IMOD, DMS, AMOLED, PDP, quantum dot displays, and thelike. In one embodiment, at least one of displays 330 and 340 comprise ahigh-transparency LED display based on the technology disclosed inUnited States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0168789, whichincorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In one embodiment, atleast one of displays 330 and 340 comprise a transparent display basedon the technology disclosed in at least one of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,884,784and 9,865,224, and United States Patent Application Publication Nos.2018/0367756, 2018/0096642, 2018/0020210, 2018/0004059, 2014/0166991,and 2013/0010208, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that present or future displaytechnology may be employed without departing from the spirit of thepresent disclosures. In some embodiments, a video display of the presentapplication further comprises one or more anti-reflective coating and/orlayer.

In some embodiments, displays 330 and 340 are capable of displayingmedia content at various levels of opacity, as defined herein, whereineach level of opacity directly affects or determines a level oftransparency for each display. For example, if the opacity level orpercentage of media content reproduced on a video display of the presentinvention is set to approximately 30% opacity, then the transparencylevel or percentage of the video display will be approximately 70%.Thus, there exists an inverse relationship between an opacity level ofmedia content being reproduced on a video display and a transparencylevel of the video display. It should be noted that transparency levelsor percentages are based on a maximum attainable transparency for thevideo display when the opacity level or percentage is 0%. Thus, atransparency percentage of 100% does not represent conditions of 0%light scattering, rather is represents whatever amount of lightscattering is present when the opacity level of media content is 0%(i.e., no media content is being reproduced on the video display).

In some embodiments, displays 330 and 340 further comprise one or morewindows through which the therapist may view the patient while wearingtraining device 300. For example, in one embodiment at least one ofdisplays 330 and 340 include a window comprising one or more physicalholes or openings passing through a thickness of the display. In anotherembodiment, at least one of displays 330 and 340 include a windowcomprising one or more areas that are devoid of any pixels or othercomponents, such that the window consists essentially of a transparentmaterial, such as a glass or polymer material. For some embodiments, atransparency of the one or more windows is constant. In someembodiments, a transparency of the one or more windows is variableand/or adjustable.

In some embodiments, training device 300 further comprises eye trackingcapabilities, wherein device 300 includes software and electronics fortracking and collecting eye data from a patient during use of device300. In some embodiments, device 300 comprises one or more video cameras370 embedded within or otherwise coupled to device 300 in a positionthat allows device 300 to track the position and movement of thepatient's eyes during use of device 300. In some embodiments, device 300comprises eye tracking software configured to collect and analyze eyedata. In some embodiments, device 300 further comprising software forautomatically adjusting a transparency of video displays 330 and 340and/or automatically adjusting an opacity of media content reproducedthereon in response to eye data collected by device 300. In someembodiments, an eye tracking software of device 300 is further capableof adjusting one or more parameter or setting of video displays 330 and340. In some embodiments, device 300 comprises eye tracking capabilitiesbased on technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,958,941, which isincorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the eye tracking capabilities of device 300produces eye data which is used by device 300 to adjust one or moreparameters or settings of displays 330 and 340. For example, eye datamay be used by device 300 to adjust an opacity of media content beingreproduced on one or more displays of device 300. Eye data may furtherbe stored in on-board memory of device 300, or transmitted to a remoteserver or memory module for subsequent analysis. In some embodiments,eye data is transmitted to and stored in a cloud server. In someembodiments, the eye data is transferred wirelessly.

Therapeutic training device 300 may further comprise various electronicand non-electronic features and elements which are desirable to provideone or more features of the present invention. For example, in someembodiments device 300 further comprises on on-board power supply, anon-board video processor, on-board memory, on-board wirelesstransmitter, and various ergonomic features to improve comfort whilewearing the device. One having skill in the art will appreciate that thesize and shape of frame 310 and displays 330, 340 may be selected basedupon a desired use of device 300. For example, in some embodimentsdisplays 330 and 340 are increased and the thickness of frame 310 isdecreased to prevent an obstruction of view for either the therapist orthe patient. In some embodiments, frame 310 is incorporated intodisplays 330, 340 such that a “rimless” appearance is achieved fordevice 300.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, a demonstration of the adjustableproperties or settings of displays 330 and 340 is shown. With referenceto FIG. 4A, a therapist 400 is shown wearing therapeutic training device300 wherein the opacity level or percentage of media content on thedisplays is approximately 0%, whereby the transparency level of thedisplays is approximately 100%. In this configuration, the eyes of thetherapist 400 may be easily viewed through displays 330 and 340. In someembodiments, the configuration of displays 330 and 340 represented inFIG. 4A would appear optically clear, such that there would be nothingobstructing the patient's view of the therapist's eyes.

With reference to FIG. 4B, a therapist 400 is shown wearing device 300wherein the opacity level or percentage of media content (i.e., a roundshape and a star shape) on the displays is approximately 50%, wherebythe transparency level of the displays is approximately 50%. In thisconfiguration, the eyes of the therapist 400 are partially occluded orobscured by the media content reproduced on the displays. Conversely, inthis configuration the media content reproduced on the displays ispartially obscured by the amount of the therapist's eyes that isviewable through the partially-opaque media content. In someembodiments, the media content being reproduced on the displays 330 and340 represented in FIG. 4B would appear somewhat faded and thetherapist's eyes would be detectable through the media content.

With reference to FIG. 4C, a therapist 400 is shown wearing device 300wherein the opacity level or percentage of media content on the displaysis approximately 100%, whereby the transparency level of the displays isapproximately 0%. In this configuration, the eyes of the therapist 400are completely occluded or masked by the media content reproduced on thedisplays. In some embodiments, the media content being reproduced on thedisplays 330 and 340 represented in FIG. 4C would appear fully clear andthe therapist's eyes would not be visible to the patient.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a non-limiting example of logical pixel mappingof displays 530 and 540 of therapeutic training device 500 is shown. Invarious embodiments, video displays 530 and 540 include many displayelements or pixels (shown as dots) that are individually addressable.Coupled with the displays are pixel addressing circuits 512 for videodisplay 530, having input address lines 514 (e.g., A1-A3) and decodedoutput address lines 516 (e.g., D1-D6). In some embodiments, videodisplay 540 is also operable coupled to addressing circuit 512. In otherembodiments, video display 540 is operably coupled to a separateaddressing circuit 518.

In various embodiments, video displays 530 and 540 are physicallyseparate displays. In other embodiments, displays 530 and 540 arephysically a single piece or connected while being electrically separateand controlled independently of each other. In some embodiments,displays 530 and 540 are physically two separate pieces that areelectrically connected and controlled as a single display, thus asingular media content is reproduced across both displays as though theywere a single display.

Pixel addressing may be accomplished using decoders that take a numberof input address lines and decode the input combination into one of manyoutput signals. Decoders are well-known in the art. Any other techniquesknown in the art for memory addressing may also be utilized. In someembodiments, the pixels are arranged in a logical grid, not necessarilya physical square or rectangular grid, in which each pixel is at theintersection of a row and a column signal. When the corresponding rowand column signals are activated, the pixel at the intersection alsobecomes active or turned ON, thus displaying one pixel in a largerimage.

In some embodiments, the pixel addressing apparatus may include a numberof other components in addition or in place of decoders, such asbuffers, shift registers, other memory, display processor, and the like.This apparatus may include a combination of hardware and software orfirmware. In some embodiments, each display is supplied with image datafrom a corresponding memory segment. When a memory segment is loadedwith image data, the image data may be transferred to the display viapixel address and data lines for display. Address lines, control lines,and data lines are generally known in the art as buses that connectdifferent components in a computing system, as described with respect toFIG. 2. In some embodiments, the display segments may be dynamicallyconfigured to be mapped to different address lines and correspondingdisplay memories to show different images accordingly. For example, ifthe image of a red flower and a blue flower were being displayed on theleft and right video displays, respectively, re-configuring the displaysegments may cause the red flower to be displayed on the right side andthe blue flower on the left side by reprogramming the pixel addresslines and swapping the corresponding display memories.

In various embodiments, the video displays 530 and 540 may haveirregular shapes to fit within the apertures of frame 510, or comprise aplurality of smaller video displays where are electrically coupled toprovide a display having a desired shape.

With reference to FIG. 6, an example pixel grid with address lines forindividual pixel addressing is shown. In various embodiments, videodisplay 600 includes a grid 602 having various pixels 604, variouswindows 612 row buses 608 and column buses 610, each bus includingaddress, control, and data lines. In some embodiments, pixels 604 andwindows 612 are evenly interspaced, as shown. In some embodiments,pixels 604 and windows 612 are unevenly distributed. For example, insome embodiments windows 612 are grouped together near a center ofdisplay 600 such that windows 612 approximately correspond to a positionof the therapist's pupil when the therapeutic training device comprisingdisplay 600 is worn by the therapist. A non-limiting example of a pixelgrid is shown having a subset of activated pixels 606 corresponding topixels P₁ to P₁₂ in row bits 2-7 and column bits 4-6, wherein theactivated pixels are at locations (i.e., (column,row)) (7,4), (7,6),(6,5), (6,7), (5,4), (5,6), (4,5), (4,7), (3,4), (3,6), (2,5) and (2,7),wherein inactivated pixels (P_(x)) are at locations (8,3), (8,5), (8,7),(7,2), (7,8), (5,2), (5,8), (3,2), 3,8), and (2,3), and wherein windows(W) are at locations (8,2), (8,4), (8,6), (8,8), (7,3), (7,5), (7,7),(6,2), (6,4), (6,6), (6,8), (5,3), (5,5), (5,7), (4,2), (4,4), (4,6),(4,8), (3,3), (3,5), (3,7), (2,2), (2,4), (2,6), and (2,8).

In various embodiments, to display an image, data from display memory istransferred to pixels selected by row and column bits, such as pixels inarea 606. Those skilled in the art appreciate that the various bits inaddress, control, and data buses (collectively called signals, lines, orbits) are enabled under program or circuit control to cause orderlytransfer of data from memory to display. The logical and physicalarrangement of pixels P1-P12 shown in area 606 may be reconfigured asdesired to accomplish one or more objectives of the current invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7D, in some embodiments, a therapeutictraining device 700 is shown with configurable video displays usablewith a computing device of FIG. 2. Training device 700 is generallyconfigured to be worn on the face of a therapist for use with a patient,and therefore generally comprises features to enable the intended use.Similar to therapeutic training device 300 described above, in someembodiments, training device 700 is a pair of eyeglasses comprising aframe 710. Frame 710 generally includes at least one screen, typically afirst and second screen 712 and 714 and at least one video display butgenerally two video displays 730 and 740. In some embodiments, frame 710further includes a nose support 716 as found in ordinary frames so as tofit onto the bridge of a nose and a first and second earpieces 718 and720 that are intended to fit over the ears of the therapist to hold thetraining device 700 onto the therapist's face. In some embodiments,earpieces 718 and 720 are adjustable so as to fit to the comfort of thetherapist and the earpieces 718 and 720 may be extended, shortened, oradjusted laterally by any suitable means.

In general, frame 710 and earpieces 718, 720 of training device 700 areconfigured to position first and second screens 712 and 714 directlyover the eyes of the therapist when worn. Accordingly, frame 710 maycomprise any design, shape and/or components compatible with thisintended use. In some embodiments, the first and second video displays730 and 740 may be mounted to the frame 710 in an orientation such thata display of media content is emitted from the video displays in a planeperpendicular to the line of sight of the therapist and/or a viewablepathway through the screen. As an example, when the eyeglasses are wornby the therapist, the video display may face down. In some embodimentsthe video display may face up. In some embodiments, a video display ofthe present invention is mounted to a hood 722 portion of the frame 710,wherein a mounting surface of the hood is parallel to the line of sightof the therapist, and perpendicular to a plane in which a display ofmedia content is emitted from the video display. In some embodiments,the line of sight of the therapist and/or viewable pathway through thescreen is in a first horizontal plane, a mounting surface of the videodisplay is in a second horizontal plane that is generally parallel tothe first horizontal plane, and a display of media content is emittedfrom the video display in a vertical plane that is generallyperpendicular to the first and second horizontal planes.

The video displays 730,740 may display and change various images andvideos as controlled by a display controller 750 that may be integratedinto the frame 710 or may be separate from device 700 wherein device 700is configured to link to display controller 750 by a wired or wirelessconnection.

As described above with device 300, display controller 750 may obtainthe images from various sources including mobile devices, directly fromthe internet or other computer network, or from local or remote storage.Display controller 750 may further include other circuit elements forcontrolling video displays 730 and 740, such as controller circuits,memory, I/O interfaces, and/or a power source. Frame 710 furthercomprises various circuitry (not shown) by which video displays 730 and740 are operable connected to display controller 750 and otherelectronic components of device 700.

Screens 712 and 714 may be configured to receive and reflect mediacontent emitted or otherwise projected from video displays 730 and 740such that the display of media content is viewable by a patient when thetraining device 700 worn on the face of a therapist. In someembodiments, screens 712 and 714 comprise a one-way mirror having areflective coating that faces video displays 730, 740 at approximately45°, and a see-through side that faces the eyes of the therapist atapproximately 45° when worn. The reflective coating is configured toreflect outwardly to the patient any media content displayed on videodisplay 730, 740. When the therapist's face is lighted, the reflectivecoating becomes transparent such that the patient may view thetherapist's face through screens 712, 714, as discussed below.

Screens 712 and 714 may comprise any material or combination ofmaterials compatible with the present invention. In some embodiments,screens 712 and 714 comprise a beamsplitter mirror. In some embodiments,the beamsplitter mirror may be a dielectric mirror. In some instances, abeamsplitter mirror is a polarizing beam splitting mirror. In someinstances, a beamsplitter mirror is a non-polarizing beam splittingmirror. Generally, one side of a beamsplitter mirror is coated with ananti-reflective (AR) coating, and the opposite side is coated with amirror coating. In some instances, at least one of the AR and mirrorcoatings is dielectric. In some instances, the AR and mirror coatingsare both dielectric. AR and mirror coatings compatible for use in thepresent invention may include single or multiple layers. The mirrorcoating is configured to provide high reflectance without degrading thepicture quality of video displays 730 and 740. Each of the screens 712and 714 may include a beamsplitter mirror.

Video displays 730 and 740 in combination with screens 712, 714 functionas a video display 725, and is herein understood to describe thereflected image of the media content viewable to, or perceivable by apatient. Generally, with video displays 730,740 facing down, screens712,714 may be at a 45° angle with respect to video displays 730,740 andalso with respect to the eye line of the therapist. The angle of screens712,714 may be adjustable such that the screen is reflected and isviewable by a patient while a therapist is wearing the training device700. Thus the angle may be greater than or less than 45° as required toalign the reflection to be viewable by the patient. Even though thescreens 712 and 714 are configured to be at an angle to the eye line ofthe therapist, screens 712, 714 provide a viewable pathway through thescreens and through the reflected video display. In some embodiments, atransparency of the one or more screens 712, 714 is variable and/oradjustable, as discussed in connection with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

Similar to device 300 described above, video displays 730 and 740 maycomprise any display technology compatible with the teachings of thepresent invention, including but not limited to LED, LCD, OLED, ELD, Eink, HPA, TFT, OTFT, DLP, SED, FED, Laser TV, carbon nanotubes, IMOD,DMS, AMOLED, PDP, quantum dot displays, and the like. In someembodiments, video displays 730 and 740 comprise a video projector, suchas a pico projector, a DLP projector, an LED projector, an LCDprojector, an LCoS projector, and the like. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that present or future display technology may beemployed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosures.

In some embodiments, video displays 730 and 740 are capable of emitting,projecting, or otherwise displaying media content at various levels ofbrightness and/or opacity, as defined herein, wherein each level ofbrightness and/or opacity directly affects or determines a level oftransparency of the media content displayed on screens 712 and 714. Forexample, if the opacity level, brightness or percentage of media contentreproduced on a screen of the present invention is set to approximately30% of total brightness and/or opacity, then the level of transparency,brightness or percentage of the video display 725 will be approximately70%. Thus, there exists an inverse relationship between the brightness,opacity or percentage levels of media content being reproduced on videodisplays 730, 740 and a transparency level of the media content onscreens 712, 714, as perceived by a patient.

Referring now to FIGS. 7C-7D, in some embodiments, the frame 710 may beconfigured to rest directly on the forehead of the user and secured byearpieces 718 and 720 and further balanced with nose support 716.Various embodiments may include at least one light 742. In someembodiments, the light may be coupled to the frame 710 and directs lightto the face of the therapist or wearer of the therapeutic trainingdevice 700. The light may include several lights located on the bottomor surrounding the frames in locations best suited to illuminate theface, and in particular the eyes of the therapist. For example, thelights may be several LCDs located along the bottom of the frame 710. Insome embodiments, the brightness of the light 742 may be adjustable. Invarious embodiments, when a brightness or opacity of media content onvideo displays 730 and 740 is varied, so is a brightness of light 742.In some instances, the brightness level of video displays 730 and 740 isinverse to a brightness level of light 742.

In some embodiments, when the level of brightness of media content onvideo displays 730, 740 and or screens 712, 714 is adjusted, theluminosity or brightness of the light 742 is adjusted accordingly. Atherapist may be wearing therapeutic training device 700 wherein thebrightness level or percentage of media content on the displays isapproximately 0%, whereby the transparency level of the screens isapproximately 100% and the brightness of the light 742 is alsoapproximately 100%. In this configuration, the eyes of the therapist maybe easily viewed through screens 712 and 714. In some embodiments, theconfiguration of the screens 712 and 714 would appear optically clearwith sufficient illumination, such that there would be nothingobstructing the patient's view of the therapist's eyes through screens712, 714. As another example, if the brightness level or percentage ofmedia content reproduced on video display 730, 740 (the reflection ofwhich is viewable on screen 712,714) is set to approximately 30%opacity, then the brightness of the light will be approximately 70%. Thelight 742 may be changed to various levels of brightness as controlledby display controller 750 that may be integrated into the frame 710 ormay be separate from device 700, wherein device 700 is configured tolink to display controller 750 by a wired or wireless connection.

Referring now to FIG. 7E, an example display controller 750 is shown. Invarious embodiments, a therapeutic training device of the presentinvention may include a display controller 750 which may be embeddedwithin a surface of the training device, or which may be separate fromthe training device and operably connected thereto by various means. Insome embodiments, display controller 750 comprises an embeddedcontroller board 752 including a power source 754, an Input/Output (I/O)module 756, a Network Interface Card (NIC) 758, memory 760, and aCentral Processing Unit (CPU) 762 all connected via electronic signalbusses for data transfer and control.

In various embodiments, controller board 752 is a thin circuit withminimal power requirements to download media content data from anexternal source via NIC 758, store in memory 760, convert media contentdata to display format for one or more video displays of the trainingdevice, transfer formatted media content data onto one or more videodisplays of the training device via the I/O module 756 and drive thevideo display(s) on the training device for actual display.

In various embodiments, the power source may be a small battery, arechargeable battery or capacitor, or other suitable power source. Insome embodiments, the power source is a battery pack that is connectedto the training device via power cord. In some embodiments, the trainingdevice is powered directly from a wall receptacle using a plug-intransformer.

In various embodiments, the NIC may be in contact with an externalsource, such as a mobile computing device like a cellphone or tablet, ora larger computer, the internet, and the like, to download mediacontent. In some embodiments, the NIC may be used during aninitialization period to preload any images or video to display and thenstop data acquisition until a next session as determined and controlledby a user (for example, by pressing a button to activate new dataacquisition), or by the training device being turned OFF and ON again.In other embodiments, the NIC may continuously be connected to a datasource download new data while the training device is in use, so it canupdate media content in real time. In some embodiments, the NIC may bepart of an IOT (Internet Of Things) system with its own IP addressdirectly connected to the Internet to download images from apredetermined website or multiple websites the addresses (URL) of whichmay be embedded in the display controller. In some embodiments, the NICmay be connected by wireless, such as WiFi, or wired, such as USB, linksto a device, such as a smartphone.

In various embodiments, the controller board 752 may perform all or someof the formatting of the media content to be displayed on the device. Itmay further include software and/or firmware that performs other signaland image processing, such as filtering, color change, animation(including image fading in and out), scaling and/or truncating mediacontent, stretching, and the like. In some embodiments, the embeddedsoftware may adjust the opacity of the media content. In someembodiments, the embedded software may track and record eye data of thepatient during use of the device. In some embodiments, the embeddedsoftware may adjust the opacity of the media content and/or brightnessof lights in response to eye data. In some embodiments, the embeddedsoftware may upload eye data to remote server, such as a cloud server.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an example I/O processor 870 is shown incommunication with a display controller separate from the trainingdevice (not shown). In various embodiments, the therapeutic trainingdevice includes a limited control circuit 872 with an I/O module 874 totransfer media content data, and an antenna 876 for receipt and/ortransmission of radio waves 878.

In various embodiments, a power source, such as a small battery or arechargeable battery or capacitor (not shown) or other suitable powersource may be used to power the circuit.

In various embodiments, the rest of the circuit needed to control thevideo displays of the training device may be located off the trainingdevice and in another location, such as a belt unit carried by the user.Such belt unit may include a NIC that may be in contact with an externalsource, such as a mobile computing device like a cellphone or tablet, ora larger computer, the internet, and the like, to download new images.The NIC may also be in contact with the antenna 876 to transmit and/orreceive data from to/from the limited control circuit 804 via wirelesscommunications or a hardwired interface, such as a mini USB. In someembodiments, the belt unit includes the components needed to downloadand format images from external sources, similar to the components shownin FIG. 7. In various embodiments, the NIC may be used during aninitialization period to preload any media content to display and thenstop data acquisition until a next session as determined and controlledby a user (for example, by pressing a button to activate new dataacquisition), or by the training device being turned OFF and ON again.In other embodiments, the NIC may continuously be connected to a datasource to download new media content data while the device is in use, soit can update displayed media content in real time. In some embodiments,the NIC may be part of an IOT (Internet Of Things) system with its ownIP address directly connected to the Internet to download images from apredetermined website or multiple websites the addresses (URL) of whichmay be embedded in the display controller. In some embodiments, the NICmay be connected by wireless, such as WiFi, or wired, such as USB, linksto a device, such as a smartphone. In various embodiments, theformatting of the media content takes place on the belt.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an example training device 900 is shown incommunication with a mobile computing device 916 via a receiver 910. Invarious embodiments, a training device 900 of the present invention isin contact with a transmitter/receiver 910 via an interface 912 toreceive wireless signals 908 from a smartphone 904 running an app (smallmobile software application) 906 usable to download media content to thetraining device.

In various embodiments, the training device 900 may be similar to thetraining device of FIG. 8, in which a small local circuit is deployedwithin the training device to receive and display the media content dataafter formatting (if any). In an illustrative operation, the app 906running on smartphone 904 may transmit media content data via wirelesssignals to the receiver 910. The receiver 910 may include otherprocessing components, such as CPU and memory to format the transmittedimage for display on at least one video display of the training devicevia interface 912. Interface 912 may be wired, such as USB or wirelesssignals such as WiFi, NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth, orother similar wireless protocols. In these embodiments, thereceiver/computing unit 910 may receive standard media content from thesmartphone and then format it for display on the training device. Inother embodiments, the training device may include video displayswithout any processing components. In such embodiments, the formattedmedia content is directly displayed via data and control bussescontained within the device 910.

In some embodiments, app 906 may download a standard format mediacontent, such as MP4, 3GP, .MOV, .f4, JPEG, bitmap, and the like, fromthe Internet and then format it for display on the training devicebefore transmitting it to the receiver for display on one or more videodisplays of the training device. The app may include additionalinterfaces for defining the configuration of video display forformatting. For example, the app may include settings whereby a user mayset or adjust a location on the video display for display of theformatted media content. It may also include options for the user toselect various animation modes, playback modes, or other modification tobe displayed on the training device. Such selections may be performedduring a setup session before activating or using the training device.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an example therapeutic training device 1000 isshown coupled with a separate display control unit 1004. In variousembodiments, a therapeutic training device 1000 of the present inventionmay be in contact with an external display controller board/unit 1004,via an interface 1018 to receive media content data for display. Thecontroller board 1004 may include various computing components such as aCPU 1006, memory 1008, I/O module 1010, NIC module 1012, and powersupply 1016.

In various embodiments, the training device receives media content datavia interface 1018 and does not perform any processing locally and doesnot need a local power supply.

In some embodiments, display processor/controller 1004 may bepreprogrammed to format media content for the particular training deviceit is coupled to. It may include firmware or downloadable programs toperform all the video formatting and/or manipulation necessary todisplay the final form of the media content and its effects (such asopacity, discussed herein). The controller 1004 may further include aNIC interface 1012 for connecting to data sources such as computers,tablets, smartphones or directly to the internet to download mediacontent data. The NIC module as well as mask interface 1018 may bewired, such as USB, or wireless such as WiFi, NFC (Near FieldCommunication), Bluetooth, or other similar wireless protocols. In theseembodiments, the display controller 1004 may receive standard mediacontent from various sources and then format them (if needed) togenerate media content for display on the training device 1000.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an example of a method 1105 for using thetherapeutic training device of the present invention is shown. Ingeneral, the training device of the present invention is designed andintended to assist a therapist in developing muscle memory in a patient,and specifically to train a patient to make and maintain eye contactwith the therapist. According, a first step 1110 in a method for usingthe training device is to determine if the patient is making eye contactwith the training device, and specifically with one or more videodisplays of the training device. In some embodiments, step 1110 isperformed manually by the therapist. In some embodiments, step 1110 isperformed via eye tracking components and software of the trainingdevice. If it is determined that the patient is not making eye contactwith the training device, an opacity of media content displayed on thetraining device is increased (step 1120). If it is determined that thepatient is making and/or maintaining eye contact with the trainingdevice, an opacity of media content displayed on the training device isdecreased (step 1130). The steps of this method are repeated throughouta training session with the therapeutic training device of the presentinvention.

It will be understood that each step of the processes and methodsdescribed above, and combinations of steps, may be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These program instructions may beprovided to a processor to produce a machine, such that theinstructions, which execute on the processor, enable implementing theactions specified. The computer program instructions may be executed bya processor to cause a series of operational steps to be performed bythe processor to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions, which execute on the processor to provide steps forimplementing the actions. The computer program instructions may alsocause at least some of the operational steps to be performed inparallel. Moreover, some of the steps may also be performed across morethan one processor, such as might arise in a multi-processor computersystem. In addition, one or more steps or combinations of stepsdescribed may also be performed concurrently with other steps orcombinations of steps, or even in a different sequence than describedwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

Accordingly, steps of processes or methods described supportcombinations of techniques for performing the specified actions,combinations of steps for performing the specified actions and programinstruction for performing the specified actions. It will also beunderstood that each step, and combinations of steps described, can beimplemented by special purpose hardware based systems which perform thespecified actions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

It will be further understood that unless explicitly stated orspecified, the steps described in a process are not ordered and may notnecessarily be performed or occur in the order described or depicted.For example, a step A in a process described prior to a step B in thesame process, may actually be performed after step B. In other words, acollection of steps in a process for achieving an end-result may occurin any order unless otherwise stated.

Changes can be made to the claimed invention in light of the aboveDetailed Description. While the above description details certainembodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated,no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the claimed inventioncan be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its implementation details, while still beingencompassed by the claimed invention disclosed herein.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the claimed invention to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above DetailedDescription section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, theactual scope of the claimed invention encompasses not only the disclosedembodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementingthe claimed invention.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the claimed invention. Sincemany embodiments of the claimed invention can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the invention resides inthe claims hereinafter appended. It is further understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intendedto cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope ofthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent arrangements.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Therapeutic Treatment of Patient with ASD

A patient with ASD is positioned face-to-face with a therapist. Atherapeutic training device of the present invention is positioned onthe therapist's face so that the therapist's eyes are viewable by thepatient through the video displays of the training device. The patient'seye contact is analyzed to determine if the patient is making eyecontact with the therapist. This analysis may be done manually by thetherapist, or may be automated through the use of eye trackingcomponents and software. If eye contact is not being made and maintainedwith the therapist, media content is displayed on the video displays ofthe training device at a level of opacity that results in the patientmaking eye contact with the video displays. The opacity level of themedia content may be adjusted manually by the therapist, or may beadjusted automatically by the training device in response to eye dataacquired by eye tracking component and software of the device. If eyecontact is being made and maintained with the video displays of thetraining device, the opacity of the media content is decreased such thatthe therapist's eyes become viewable to the patient through the mediacontent. As the patient continues to maintain eye contact with the videodisplays, the opacity of the media content is decreased such that thetherapist's eyes are increasingly viewable to the patient. As thepatient begins to lose or break eye contact with therapist's eyes and/orthe video displays, the opacity of the media content is increased toencourage the patient to reestablish eye contact with the video screensof the training device.

Through this repeated therapy method, the patient develops muscle memoryfor making and maintaining eye contact with the therapist.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its structures, methods, or other essentialcharacteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A therapeutic training device, comprising aneyeglass frame having an aperture: a display positioned within theaperture and comprising an outer surface for displaying media content,and an inner surface that is positioned close to the face of a therapistwhen worn; means for securing the frame and display to a face of atherapist; a controller coupled to the display to control the display ofmedia content on the outer surface of the display; and eye trackingcomponents and software.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the displayfurther comprises a window.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the windowis a physical opening.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the window is aportion of the display that is without a pixel.
 5. The device of claim1, wherein an opacity of the media content displayed on the outersurface of the display is adjustable.
 6. A therapeutic training device,comprising: eyeglass frames; a video display positioned within theeyeglass frames; a controller coupled to the video display to control adisplay of media content on the video display; a screen configured toreflect the display of media content outwardly such that the display ofmedia content is viewable by a patient when the therapeutic trainingdevice is worn by a wearer, wherein a brightness of the video display isadjustable such that a transparency of the screen is variable, andwherein the device further comprises a light having an adjustablebrightness to illuminate the eyes of the wearer.
 7. The device of claim6, wherein the video display is mounted in the eyeglass frames in anorientation such that the display of media content is emitted from thevideo display in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a line ofsight through the screen.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the screenis mounted in the eyeglass frames in a plane approximately 45° to theorientation of the video display.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein thevideo display is a video projector, a LCD display, a LED display, or aquantum dot display.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein the screencomprises a one-way mirror.
 11. The device of claim 6, wherein thescreen comprises a dielectric mirror.
 12. The device of claim 6, whereinthe screen comprises a plurality of screens.
 13. The device of claim 6,further comprising a controller configured to inversely adjustbrightness levels of the video display and the light.
 14. A method fortreating a patient with autism spectrum disorder using the therapeutictraining device of claim 6, said method comprising steps of: positioningthe patient face-to-face with a therapist; placing the therapeutictraining device on the therapist's face; displaying to the patient mediacontent on the therapeutic training device; observing the patient's eyecontact; assessing a direction of the patient's eye contact; andadjusting a level of the media content.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the therapeutic training device further comprises eye trackingcomponents and software, and the steps of observing the patient's eyecontact and assessing the direction of the patient's eye contact isaccomplished by the eye tracking components and software of thetherapeutic training device.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein thesteps of observing the patient's eye contact and assessing the directionof the patient's eye contact are accomplished manually by the therapist.17. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapeutic training devicefurther comprises software to adjust the level of the media content, andthe step of adjusting the level of the media content is accomplished bythe software of the therapeutic training device.
 18. The method of claim14, wherein the step of adjusting the level of the media content isaccomplished manually by the therapist.